Premier League stars dominate UEFA awards

The shortlist for this year's UEFA European Club Footballer of the Year awards is dominated by Premier League players.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool all reached the Champions League
semi-finals last season, with United overcoming Chelsea on penalties in the
Moscow-hosted final.

That is reflected in the shortlist, announced today by UEFA, with 17 players
from the 25-strong shortlist currently playing in England's top flight.

Last year's Champions League top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, Liverpool's Fernando
Torres and Chelsea's Frank Lampard will all be leading contenders for the award.
Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Carles Puyol are also in contention.

The coaches of the 16 teams which reached the knock-out stages of last year's
competition will cast their votes next Thursday, at the Champions League group
stage draw in Monaco.

There are also awards for goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward of the
year.

The list of nominees, from which the overall winner will be selected, is: